DETROIT (Tell Us Det) – When Detroiter Norman Snedacar goes on job interviews he’ll have a little more pep in his step because he’ll be wearing a gently used suit donated to him by gospel music superstar BeBe Winans. He received the smart suit through a successful partnership between the Detroit based Jackets for Jobs, Inc., and the Men’s Wearhouse, a clothier with 900 outlets nationwide. “With this amazing suit and a great resume, I definitely have the right look and skills for a new job,” Snedacar stated. “Being gifted with this suit from such an outstanding person is truly flattering and a blessing.”

Following a successful career as a truck driver for 25 years, Snedacar joined the ranks of the long-term unemployed in 2006. Now affiliated with Michigan Works, he graduated from Baker College where he completed training to become a Medical Laboratory Technician. Receiving the suit supports the look he needs to make a great impression during interviews.

Jackets for Jobs, a non-profit organization that provides career skills training, employment etiquette and professional clothes to individuals seeking employment, joined the Men’s Wearhouse for the fifth annual National Suit Drive, the nation’s largest collection of gently used business attire for men and women. The successful clothing drive wrapped up in July.

“The celebrity component of this year’s drive was uplifting and took us to a new level,” stated Alison Vaughn, Founder & CEO of Jackets for Jobs. “We are grateful to BeBe Winans for his suit donation and FOX 2 staffers anchorman Alan Lee and reporter Jason Carr.”

Donors were encouraged to give their gently used men’s and women’s suits, shirts, jackets, ties, belts and shoes to drop off points at Men’s Wearhouse store locations around the US. For every suit donated Men’s Wearhouse donated two business ties and donors received a 50% off coupon off all regular-priced items (excluding shoes) for a next purchase at the store.

“Our donation expectations were exceeded,” stated Peter Ciak, regional manager for Men’s Wearhouse. “This year’s collection was 130,171 units compared to a target goal of 110,000 of which Jackets for Jobs will receive nearly 800 units. Our founder George Zimmer is thrilled about the outcome because he encourages philanthropy. “

As the national unemployment rate edges down, there are still 12.5 million Americans still out of work and many are feeling discouraged,” states Vaughn. “The clothing they receive through the National Suit Drive gives them a confident first step toward reentering the job market. Nonprofit/private partnerships, like the one forged between Jackets For Jobs and Men’s Wearhouse, are paving the way to put people back to work.”

About Jackets for Jobs, Inc.
Jackets for Jobs, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides career skills training, employment etiquette and professional clothes to individuals seeking employment. Since its inception, JFJ has assisted over 12,000 individuals with employment. Nationally, the organization has been supported and recognized by Donald Trump, the cast from The Apprentice, ABC’s The View, and NBC’s Today show. JFJ also has had the distinct honor of ringing the closing bell on NASDAQ in New York City. For more information, visit www.jacketsforjobs.org

About Men’s Wearhouse
Founded in 1973 by George Zimmer, Men’s Wearhouse is one of North America’s largest specialty retailers of men’s apparel, with 1,162 stores. The Men’s Wearhouse, Moores and K&G stores carry a full selection of men’s designer, brand name and private label suits, sport coats, furnishings and accessories and Men’s Wearhouse and Tux stores carry a limited selection. Most K&G stores carry a full selection of women’s apparel. Tuxedo rentals are available in the Men’s Wearhouse, Moores Clothing for Men and Men’s Wearhouse and Tux stores. Additionally, Men’s Wearhouse operates a global corporate apparel and workwear group consisting of Twin Hill in the United States and Dimensions and Alexandra in the United Kingdom.

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) – U.S. Rep. Gary Peters won a faceoff with Hansen Clarke which leaves Detroit without two black members of Congress for the first time in nearly a half-century.

Fewer than fifty Clarke supporters left the Burton Theater in Detroit at about midnight without hearing a concession speech. A senior staff member, said Clarke “was with his family” and would have a statement Wednesday.

John Conyers – one of the founders of the Congressional Black Caucus – easily survived a crowded primary fight of his own. The broad field he ran against was Conyers’ biggest ally due to other candidates splitting the vote.

Former U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra won Michigan’s Republican nomination for U.S. Senate on Tuesday, beating back a challenge from two candidates who questioned his record as a conservative.

Hoekstra’s victory over charter school foundation executive Clark Durant and former Kent County Judge Randy Hekman sets up a November matchup with two-term Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow.

Detroit has had two black representatives since 1965, when Conyers took office alongside then-Rep. Charles Diggs. But the GOP-controlled Legislature added suburban territory to the city’s two districts after results of the 2010 census dropped Michigan’s House delegation from 15 to 14.

By clinching the Democratic nomination, Conyers is considered the overwhelming favorite to win a 25th term in November.

Peters said he gained the confidence of black voters in the majority-minority district with extensive outreach and a focus on results. He visited about 50 black churches and won endorsements from Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and an activist group called The Black Slate, as well as leading unions and the Detroit Regional Chamber.

In a closely watched race that went down to the wire in the 6th district seat of the Michigan House, Detroit Democrat Maureen Stapleton lost to fellow State Representative Rashida Tlaib.

In metro Detroit two more incumbents faced defeat in races that pitted them against their Michigan House colleagues.

With a majority of precincts reporting, Rep. Jimmy Womack of the 3rd District lost to Rep. John Olumba.

Leading the count for most of Tuesday, Rep. Tim Bledsoe was ahead in three Grosse Pointes, which is his stronghold. However, by the end of the night, his opponent Alberta Tinsley-Talabi received 573 more votes, enough to win the nomination for the Democratic seat for the second district in the Michigan State House of Representatives.

In another closely watched primary race Tuesday, Republican tea party favorite and political novice Kerry Bentivolio prevailed over a former state senator in the district abandoned by former Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, who resigned after failing to produce enough valid petition signatures to qualify for the ballot.

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) – In this remake of “Total Recall” Colin Farell plays -Doug Quaid/Hauser, a now classic role originally played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. You’d expect that Farell would make you forget all about the first film made in 1990 but his portrayal doesn’t. Farell/ Quaid-Hauser plays a bored construction worker who wants more out of life so he goes to “Total Rekall” a company which sells mind trips, where he gets to choose a more exciting life and keep the memories. As you know if you’ve seen the original movie Schwarzenegger/Quaid-Hauser is a double-agent but his memories have been wiped clean because of his “Total Rekall” experience, but those memories start coming back which puts him on a quest to discover who he really is.

Colin Farell plays this role as if he’s totally in the dark, he’s confused and troubled and you don’t get the impression that he’s a strong force until snippets of his memory start to return and then it’s as if his expertise, as the most sought after double agent, just happens by accident. Farell/Quaid-Hauser seems to be disconnected from the role which leaves the viewer lost about what’s going on. In comparison Schwarzenegger’s quirky charm and European flavor connects with audiences and because of his strong physique, stature and survival instincts you know he’s smarter than he looks and by sheer will he’ll discover his identity and get to the bottom of the situation.

“Total Recall” 2012 has some exceptional special effects and the design of the futuristic world is high tech but dark and dreary compared to the original. It’s interesting to watch but you don’t feel like it’s a futuristic world that you can relate to.

The premise of the film takes on a different twist it’s not about the government trying to develop and mine the resources on planet Mars for profit. In this version there are two colony’s the U.S. (American) Colony which is a poor community and the British colony which secretly plans to destroy the U.S. Colony by building synthetic Police Robots that will ultimately wage war and destroy innocent U.S. Colony citizens who won’t know what hit them.

Kate Beckinsale is outstanding as Farell/Quaid-Hauser’s fake wife Lori. She has some outstanding action scenes that show she’s no slouch. She’s relentless in her quest to capture and kill Farell/Quaid-Hauser once she learns who he is.
Jessica Biel/ Melina holds her own as Farrell’s real love interest. We haven’t seen her in a movie in a while and this definitely changes her image because she has to be more rugged and powerful.

Blast from the past former Rapper turned actor Bokeem Woodbine plays Harry, Farrell’s/Quaid’s-Hauser’s construction co-worker who’s secretly working for the enemy, assigned to watch him and keep him from discovering his former identity.

I watched the original to refresh my memory and I expected the remake to be a better version because the critics didn’t take Schwarzenegger’s acting career seriously but they knew how to harness his strengths and position him opposite other characters in such a way that it works ten times better than the 2012 version of Total Recall. You can follow the story easily in the original version and you’d believed that Schwarzenegger was a hero of sorts who would save the day. In the new version Farell/ Quaid-Hauser seems lost and he takes you on that trip with him but he doesn’t have the real power that we see throughout the original and you don’t know if he has what it takes to turn this situation around but I’ll let you be the judge of that when you see the movie yourself.

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) – Moving towards the home stretch, The Detroit News, Tell Us Detroit .Com and now The Michigan Chronicle have all decided to support Incumbent State Representative David E. Nathan for the New House District 8 seat. “We are humbled and grateful for the recognition of our hard work”, says Nathan. “Our efforts to canvas neighborhoods with our message on issues that impact our neighborhoods, the quality of education in our classrooms along with public transportation, has resonated with District 8 residents and we couldn’t be happier.”

In February 2010 and as State Representative for District 11, Nathan was appointed as Chair of the House Education Sub-committee on Academic Emergencies, which was formed with the purpose of reforming the laws surrounding Emergency Financial Managers. Representative Nathan also launched an Annual Neighborhood Clean-Up Project, where each spring he rallied business and residential volunteers to clean up some of the more down trodden areas within the district. Rep. Nathan’s latest project is his “Home Repair Program”. This program helps residents to repair their homes “at little to no cost” by way of their neighborhood block club or association.

“Having received the endorsement of these highly respected organizations means a lot. I now ask voters to follow their lead by voting for me on August 7th.” Mark your calendar to attend the Nathan Campaign – Election Night Watch Party to be held at 1917 American Bistro on Livernois’s Avenue of Fashion, Tuesday, August 7th from 8 pm to 12 midnight! RSVP at Election Night Watch Party

IDLEWILD, MI (Tell Us USA) – Long considered the “Black Eden”, Idlewild will mark its 100th year with the dedication of John Meeks Park, named in honor of educator, successful businessman, historian and longtime resident. An after party will be held like this area has never seen before. The ceremony will be held from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm August 4, 2012 at M. L. King & Idlewild Boulevard in this historic and beautiful northern resort setting.

The celebration will continue with guest speakers, entertainment and activities for all ages, from 1:00 pm – until, so don’t forget your coolers, blankets and lawn chairs.

Idlewild, a vacation and retirement community in Yates Township located in a small rural northwestern part of Michigan, was one of only a few resorts in the country where African-Americans were allowed to vacation and purchase property before this discrimination became illegal in 1964.

Upper and middle class African American professionals from Detroit, Chicago, and other Midwestern cities were drawn to this rustic community a hundred years ago with residents the likes of NAACP co-founder, Dr. W. E. B. Du Bois, cosmetic entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker, Lemuel L. Foster, president of Fisk University, Dr. Albert B. Cleage, Sr. of Detroit, and the famous African-American novelist Charles Waddell Chesnutt.

LOS ANGELES, CAL (Tell Us LA) – The movie Middle Of Nowhere follows Ruby, a bright medical student who sets aside her dreams and suspends her career when her husband is incarcerated. As the committed couple stares into the hollow end of an eight-year prison sentence, Ruby must learn to live another life, one marked by shame and separation.

However, through a chance encounter and a stunning betrayal that shakes her to her core, this steadfast wife is soon propelled in new and often shocking directions of self-discovery – caught between two worlds and two men in the search for herself.

Middle Of Nowhere had its world premiere at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, where Director Ava DuVernay won the Best Director Award. The cast includes, Emayatzy Corinealdi, David Oyelowo, Omari Hardwick, Lorraine Touissaint, Edwina Findley, Sharon Lawrence

The black British actor David Oyelowo is on a hot streak: In 2011, he appeared in “The Help” and “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” and he’s starring in “Red Tails,” George Lucas’ $58-million action flick about the Tuskeegee Airmen.

He came to the L.A.-set character drama, written and directed by film-publicist-turned-filmmaker Ava DuVernay, in the randomest of ways. An investor on the film happened to encounter Oyelowo on an airplane and gave him the script. Oyelowo read the story — about a woman who struggles with loyalty and sacrifice after her husband is incarcerated — and signed on.

“It’s a real challenge to find African American characters with depth,” he said at a post-screening Q&A, “But when I read this, it was just like ‘Do the Right Thing,’ or ‘She’s Gotta Have It,’ the characters just lept off the page…. Ava is transcending what is called ‘black cinema.'”

This heartfelt romantic drama will open in theaters nationwide this fall.

R.E.O. Speedwagon, Morris Day & The Time, The Guess Who lead lineup of outstanding music Labor Day Weekend

R.E.O. Speedwagon, Morris Day & The Time, The Guess Who lead lineup of outstanding music Labor Day Weekend

ROYAL OAK, MI – Celebrating its 15th year and returning to the bustling streets of Royal Oak from Aug. 31 – Sept. 3, Ford Arts, Beats & Eats presented by Citizens Bank will entertain thousands of visitors from across the region with its outstanding music line-up, stellar arts programming, mouthwatering selection of food, as well as a number of high-impact community initiatives.

TONS OF MUSIC FOR ALL AGES AND TASTES
In its yearly tradition of bringing some of the country’s best recording artists to southeast Michigan, Ford Arts, Beats & Eats has once again assembled an outstanding lineup of acts for the Michigan Lottery National Stage and across a total of nine music stages, featuring more than 150 local bands. Among the national recording artists performing are: R.E.O. Speedwagon, G. Love & Special Sauce, Theory of a Deadman, Travis Tritt, Mayer Hawthorne & The County, Saving Abel, Morris Day & The Time, The Guess Who, and Detroit deaf hip-hop artist Sean Forbes.

The local band line-up includes 50 Amp Fuse, Stewart Francke, and Larry Lee & Back in the Day on the Michigan Lottery National Stage; Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, Longneck Strangler, Annabelle Road, and The Orbitsuns on the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort Stage; Killer Flamingos, Dirty Americans, The Infatuations, and Eliza Neals on the Ford Focus Stage; Amy Gore & Her Valentines, The Howling Diablos, Grievous Angel, and The Reefermen on the Budweiser Stage. Also headlining will be Priscilla Price, Thornetta Davis, Hotsauce, and Laith Al-Saadi, all on the Pepsi Stage.

Della Paul, winner of the 2012 Ford Arts, Beats & Eats official poster design contest, poses with her winning design that beat out entries from more than 50 other artists. Paul is from Shelby Township and studies graphic design at the University of Michigan. (Photo by Thomas Richardson/Tell Us Detroit)

AWARD-WINNING JURIED FINE ARTS SHOW
As one of the nation’s premier art shows, the Juried Fine Arts Show again will be a high point of this year’s festival, with high quality artists from across the continent vying for cash awards totaling $7,500. It will showcase art in a variety of media, including ceramics, fabric and fiber, leather, painting, photography, sculpture, wood, digital art, drawing, graphics and printmaking, glass, jewelry and metal. Artists will come from all over North America to display, share and sell their work. Festival patrons have the opportunity to peruse works at more than 140 booth spaces. Guests with U.S. Bank FlexPerks Visa cards will receive double points on all art purchases.

Title sponsor Ford and its Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers will donate exhibit space for the first annual Deaf Arts Festival featuring the work of a number of outstanding artists that are hearing impaired, including Detroit’s own deaf hip-hop artist Seam Forbes, who will take to the Michigan Lottery National Stage on Friday evening. Exhibit space also will be donated by Ford to the Cultural Alliance of Southeast Michigan to showcase a lineup of regional arts organizations, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings and the Arab American National Museum. In total, Ford is donating more than $15,000 of exhibit space to support the outstanding work of great organizations and talented artists.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN
Ford Arts, Beats & Eats has long been recognized for the quality and quantity of its family-friendly entertainment. Among the high points will be the Kids Zone, guaranteed to attract youngsters with fun, interactive programming throughout the four days of the festival. The creativity will flow at the Genesis Church Arts and Crafts area. Additionally, long-time festival partner Meijer will have an interactive area set up with product and sample displays for the whole family. The Oakland County Parks Kids Stage will feature an exciting lineup of family-friendly performances. Bringing smiles, laughter, amazement and awe to youngsters’ faces will be ventriloquists, music, magical tricks, clown acts, story telling and puppet shows. Among the lineup are many favorites, including Rosco the Clown, Mysterious Illusions, Dog Gone Mystery, Pure Imagination Magic Show, Harpbeat’s Musical Revue, Punch & Judy Puppet Show, Cool Tricks & Funny Stuff, and Ventriloquist Vikki Green.

Another fun-filled activity for the whole family will be the Metro PCS USA Basketball Dream Tour. Visitors will be able to show off their skills on the Metro PCS basketball court in games of HORSE, Around the World and Shootout, all with an exciting Android twist. Basketball fans of all stripes will want to make sure they stop by the booth on Friday between 5 -7 p.m. and Saturday between 1 – 3 p.m. when former NBA and USA Basketball star Muggsy Bogues stops by to meet and greet guests, sign autographs and pose for pictures.

Festival favorites the Detroit School of Rock and Pop Music will take to the Kids Stage and the Budweiser Stage every day of the festival, providing a hands-on interactive music activity for people of all ages, suitable for beginners to seasoned performers. Festival guests are encouraged to stop by and learn more about the instruments that go into turning “music” into “rock.” The Detroit Red Wings also will have hockey skill clinics setup to help the stars of tomorrow improve their game.

The sights and sounds of a summer carnival will be in the air as the Moonwalk presented by Royal Oak company Inflatable Playspaces and the Kiddie Carnival will be sure to bring out the “oohs and aahs” and lots of giggles in the “little ones.”

WIN A FORD OF YOUR CHOICE
Setup throughout the festival will be a number of interactive displays from Ford. Visitors will be able to stop by the display areas and check out the latest Ford vehicles and technology and test-drive an all-new 2013 Ford Escape! The attractions offer skill competitions, technology demonstrations and the opportunity to win exciting prizes, including a new Ford vehicle of the winner’s choosing, valued up to $30,000.

HEALTH & COMMUNITY CONSCIOUS ACTIVITIES
Thousands of children and their families across Michigan live within the autism spectrum every day. This year, Ford Arts, Beats & Eats is teaming with Autism Alliance of Michigan and Autism Speaks to offer select families a unique experience and an all-access pass to the festival. On both Saturday and Monday, hundreds of children on the autism spectrum and family members will enjoy access to the festival that includes free parking courtesy of the City of Royal Oak, as well as free admission, free lunch, free carnival rides and moonwalks. In addition to the special day for families, the Autism Alliance of Michigan and Autism Speaks both will be among the nonprofit beneficiaries of this year’s gate proceeds.

The initiative that will likely have the biggest financial impact at the festival will be a new radiothon named “Soft Rock 105.1 Calls for Kids,” benefitting the Children’s Miracle Network at Beaumont Children’s Hospital. In addition to generating pledges, festival guests will be selected each hour to enter the Citizens Bank “Miracle” Money Booth with the chance to keep all the cash they can grab in the eight foot wind tunnel in 20 seconds time. Citizens Bank will match each guest’s winnings in the form of a donation to the Children’s Miracle Network.